Great insight as to what skateboarding is. It is more …

Great insight as to what skateboarding is. It is more than a board and somewhere to skate.
Is it not the freedom to express one self? Is that not what we all want? The freedom to express ourselves, enjoy our pastimes / interests?
Whilst the mall does not accommodate everyone’s interests as many diverse activities as possible should be encouraged into the mall.
By welcoming skateboarders and others as the mall can reasonably accommodate it can be turned into a wonderful eclectic mix of people.
In Melbourne, Sydney or New York no one blinks an eyelid at skaters, cyclists, street artists or all manner of people.
People just get on with it.
Some marvel at the great diversity, others may not care for one group or the other however, in the main they all respect their right to express their interests, desires and behaviours.
In a small town a novelty or a fringe group are quickly labelled. This is either through ignorance or a wish to control others.
The sad thing is by doing this society misses out on so much. Live and let live.

Recent Comments by Peter

More sit-down money, fewer answers, as millions accumulateThis appears to be a very emotive subject and one I am finding very interesting.
The comments I post respresent my veiws and beliefs. What others make of them is a matter for them. As for being taken seriously, this is of no concern to me. That assessment is for others to make.

More sit-down money, fewer answers, as millions accumulateThank you Russell for an informative response. You make some valid points and the philosophy you refer to may work in an altruistic society.
However, it negates to mention dispossession.
Further, there are many examples where indigenous lore is in conflict with statute law. Yet in some jurisdictions Lore is and can be used to supplement the law.
As you suggest, this may be an area for further debate. I disagree that my comments may contribute in someway to a racial argument.
As I inferred with my previous comment, Indigenous peoples have a right to compensation.
This in no way suggests pastoralists / other land holders do not have a claim to similar recompense for their loss.
As I stated previously the article is not balanced. Again I thank you Russell for your response.

More sit-down money, fewer answers, as millions accumulateI am at a loss as to what this article is aiming to achieve. Is it the intention of this article to highlight a system that may need improvement or is it to raise questions of inequity between indigenous and non indigenous peoples?
A whole range of groups have a responsibility to foster greater opportunity and prosperity for indigenous people not least indigenous leaders and their people.
Having said that the big end of town are quite happy to pay royalties to get their hands on the bounty mines bring.
Further, governments have lauded themselves as supporters of royalties and the systems that provide said payments.
Governments are quick to bathe in the sunshine as champions of the indigenous peoples by ensuring compensation is paid by the miners.
There should be no question as to the legitimacy indigenous people have to collect royalties. It is rightly their land and they have every right to seek compensation.
Other land holders could legitimately argue the same right. The royalty amounts are considerable but let’s not get carried away here because what is traded in return is also considerable. The profit mining companies and their shareholders leave the royalty payments looking like spare change.
I suggest that both indigenous people and non indigenous people would agree there is room for improvement. However, there are also some great examples of indigenous enterprises which are successful financially and are providing great outcomes for their people.
This article seems unbalanced and biased and serves no other purpose than to inflame already ignorant views.
Please do better.

‘Underdog candidates’ have vision to join the town together Cycling infrastructure is a solid platform to base a campaign upon. The real plus for Alice Springs is it is mostly flat which makes cycling the perfect fit for transport choice.
Hopefully the community will be interested enough in the ideas of these two to invest a little time and explore what these two candidates have to offer.
Ultimately a broader range of policies will be required (if elected) to become effective councilors however, this is a great start.
More cycling results in people friendly CBDs and removes cars off the road. The benefits to the commuinity are endless.
They range from safer roads to major savings to council, not to mention the health benefits and flow on benefits from healthier people. Good luck.

On again: skateboarding in the mall to be trialledI congratulate the council on having the foresight to go ahead with the trial.
I am sure this will be an exciting opportunity for skaters to demonstrate they are responsible members of the community who appreciate the ability to skate and enjoy their sport / pastime / hobby / lifestyle within the heart of the town.
Further, this as a great opportunity for business to increase their trade and open to a new consumer.
Just as performers, the markets and other users of the mall bring in business skateboarders also have the potential to do the same.
An exciting time for all.